The Incredible Shrinking Ball

[Monkey]

I had a R Ochidectomy (Stage 1 Seminoma) last September followed by a round of Carboplatin.

Recently I've noticed that my remainin ball has shrunk a bit and sometimes aches when I knock it slightly.

Anyway, yesterday I had my 3 month check up (Bloods and Xray clear) the Consultant took a look at the remaining ball and I said does it look small as its shrunk!? The Doctor said yes it does look smaller than 'average'.

The upshot is that the Doctor said 'sometimes' (very rare 1%) men with Testicular Cancer can get it in the remaining testicle and although he could not feel any abnormalities in terms of a lump he wanted me to have a scan just to check out the situation.

So I have been refered for a scan.

A few questions if anyone can help or share information please.

1. I forgot to ask what sort of scan I'm having. Is it likely to be the Ultrasound thing where they put the jelly on your ball and then the paddle or the scan where you drink the vile liquid and go in the machine?

2. Has anyone here had Stage 1 Seminoma, Orchidectomy, Carboplatin then later had their remaining ball shrink? If so what was the out come?

Thanks and ATB.

[TCdoc]

Hi,

They usually ultrasound both testes at the same time so you should have had the left one scanned and been given the all clear in September. It's likely going to be another ultrasound this time.

I can't comment on your second question as I've got mixed germ cell but I'm sure someone will be able to give a reply.

[Aegean]

Hey Monkey,

As far as I know almost none of the Carbo guys have had a second primary in the time I have been here. Although not impossible, it is highly unlikely.

(Leftie had gotten rock hard and shrunk when I noticed something was wrong: Atrophy)

We'll keep our fingers crossed.

[Andycoles]

Hi Monkey.

I had Stage 1 TC followed with 1 dose of Carboplatine back in '06. In '09 I had my other testicle removed as they found cancer developing but not yet formed into a tumour (it's called a intra-tubular germ cell neoplasia, which isn't classed as cancer, but will develop given time). Obviously, as it was removed, I don't know what it would have developed into, but I was told it was definitely a new occurance, and not a met from the first time around.

As for your ball shrinking, it sounds to me (in my totally non-medically trained opinion) that it might have atrophied. The ultrasound will be able to tell you one way or another what is going on.

Please feel free to PM me if you want to discuss anything, and also let us know how things go.

BTW - what part of the south coast are you at? There are a few of us on here.

[Smartie]

Hi Monkey.

The scan will be an ultrasound.

Chemo does not pass the blood barrier to the testicles, so the risk of getting a second TC is unaffected (or perhaps it's more correct to say "hardly affected") by the chemo.

My urologist told me that a shrinking testicle can be a sign of TC. Of course, it could also very easily be something benign. The ultrasound will tell you what's going on.

[Monkey]

Thanks to all for your kind words.

I will let you know what happens - I'm going on holiday Friday morning to Egypt so the scan wont be until after I get back, but I will be sure to post up what has happened.

ATB

[Kiwi]

Monkey

Head off for that ultra sound and report back -- both times I was stage 1 seminoma.

But wait for the results and try to stop thos worst thoughts going though ya head.

The docs say its rare but look at the group we have here....


Cheers

Kiwi

[Aegletes]

I hope you get your ultrasound done right away. Other than the ache you mentioned, did you experience any stabbing pain in the testicle. It's possible, like others have mentioned that this can be a benign problem but, if it's the result of testicular torsion, something that should be addressed as soon as possible. How are you feeling otherwise? Mood, libido, energy?

[Monkey]

I hope you get your ultrasound done right away. Other than the ache you mentioned, did you experience any stabbing pain in the testicle. It's possible, like others have mentioned that this can be a benign problem but, if it's the result of testicular torsion, something that should be addressed as soon as possible. How are you feeling otherwise? Mood, libido, energy?

I am off on holiday on Friday for a week so wont get the ultra sound done until I get back - the Oncologist seemed fine with this saying it would be unlikely that the appointment would have come through that quick anyway.

I've not noticed a stabbing pain in the testicle just the 'ache' you get when you knock them (I must stop saying 'them' these days!). I do get a bit of lower stomach ache though.

As to mood and energy both have been low for a while now (libido is fine) and reckon this could be due to low test levels - I'm starting TRT when I return from holiday on the okay from the Urologist.

[Monkey]

BTW - what part of the south coast are you at? There are a few of us on here.

Between Portsmouth and Chichester mate.

[Leepee]

Hi Monkey, I'm new to this forum and I have just read your thread, I hope this some help to you. Back in 1992 I had my first TC and had a Left Orchidectomy with three months radiation after which I noticed the other had shrunk.
I pointed this out to the consultant and he told me it was most likely the radiotherapy and if I didn't have pain (which I didn't) not to worry. This was the dark old days when not much was known, so I had my TRT and carried on (still pain free).
After 14 years in 2006 I was diagnosed with the same stage 1 Seminoma and had a Right Orchidectomy. So the moral of this story is get that ultrasound done asap and find out as much as you can. Get Answers!!

Good Luck

Lee
____________________________
TC1 1992 Left Orchidectomy / Seminoma / Radiation
TC2 2006 Right Orchidectomy / Seminoma / 1 Carboplatin / 2 Prosthetics

[Monkey]

Just thought I would let you know the appointment came through for my scan and its July 15th.

I will post up the results chaps!

[Monkey]

Had my scan earlier this morning and all is fine - no sign of anything that shouldn't be there going on so all good.

Testicle is under size and has shrunk but apparently its fine and there is nothing to worry about.

[Redlight]

Monkey,

Did they give any reason for the shrinking? I ask because for the past month of so, I have noticed that my remaining testicle has shrunk a good 1 - 1.5 cm. A few other changes as well, there is almost no feeling in the testicle, I swear I could smash it with no pain, and it is more firm with a little heaviness to it. It also feels weird around the bottom of it, like ridges in it, just not smooth like it used to be. Who knows, I do have a cyst on top that sometimes gives me a little pain but nothing from the testicle. I have only been taking vitamin D suppliments but haven't seen anything related to changes like that. Ultrasound is scheduled on August 6th, and I don't think cancer, just curious what could be doing this, maybe low T? So, did your doctor give any reasons to the atrophy?

[Monkey]

Redlight Hi,

No the Radiologist didn't give me a reason for the atrophy - I just heard the "All is clear and looking healthy just a little undersized" comments and thought that will do for me.

Results will go to the Oncologist and i'm sure if there is anything I need to know he will be in touch, other wise i will just wait until my next appointment in September and discuss things then.

Good luck with your scan annd I hope you have a positive result.

ATB.

[Monkey]

Went to Oncology Clinic today for my 2 month check up and it looks like I potentially have that Intratubular germ cell neoplasia business.

Been refered to the Urologist with a view to having my remaining testist removed. Bit of a head f*** to be honest - I wernt expecting this thats for sure.

Still I have two boys and wernt planning on having anymore kids so it aint all bad I guess eh!

Anyway, just thought I would keep you chaps up to date.

ATB

[Smartie]

Hi ATB.

Sorry to hear this latest news.

Be assured that, if it comes to having the remaining boy removed, you will still live an almost normal life.

Do you know if the shrinking ball is producing sperm? Have you thought about banking some in case you want to extend your family later?

[Monkey]

Hi ATB.

Sorry to hear this latest news.

Be assured that, if it comes to having the remaining boy removed, you will still live an almost normal life.

Do you know if the shrinking ball is producing sperm? Have you thought about banking some in case you want to extend your family later?

ATB means All The Best and is just a way of signing off mate

I've two boys already (sons not balls) so my family is complete and we have no plans for any more so the sterility situation is not an issue for me.

I hope to be able to live a better than normal life even with both balls removed

Thanks for your kind words

ATB
Jamie

[DoubleZero]

I've two boys already (sons not balls) so my family is complete and we have no plans for any more so the sterility situation is not an issue for me.

Absolutely,well said - I am lucky enough to have one of each (boy/girl), so the loss of "lefty" wasn't actually that much of a loss. Everything else "works" so you shouldn't have too many problems. Good luck.

[Smartie]

ATB means All The Best and is just a way of signing off mate

Ah. Thanks for clearing that up!

TTFN

[Andycoles]

Hi Jamie,

I just caught up with your post, sorry to hear that you might have IGCN. That is exactly the same route that lead to my second orchidectomy.

When they found mine, I was given the option of either having the operation now or starting rigorous surveylance to catch it when it changed. As you said that fertility isn't an issue for you, there are a couple of things you need to think about:

1. Are you disiplined enough to rigidly stick to your surveylance routine?
2. Can you cope mentally with having this hanging over your head?

If you, like me, say no to both, my suggestion would be to go for the operation IMHO.

If you feel you would like to talk it over, please PM me your number.

[Monkey]

Thanks Andy,

I've pretty much made my mind up to have 'him off' rather than the other options - the Oncologist concures with this as well so reckon its possibly the right decision.

As my GP said this morning at least after the operation I wont have any more balls to worry about getting cancer in!

[Kiwi]

Hey mate

I know I was a lot happier after number two, this does have a lot to do with the "T" replacement that I was not on prior though.

Cheers

Kiwi